🙂A single person spends $1,481 per month in Mexico City vs $2,508 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,352 per month in Mexico City vs $3,660 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,222 per month in Mexico City vs $4,812 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.
🙂Mexico City is about 41% cheaper than Aberdeen, SD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Mexico City and Aberdeen, SD sit above the global median – Mexico City by 11%, Aberdeen, SD by 88%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.16MX$229
$10.03$10.03
31.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.6MX$932
$65.3$65.3
-17.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.55MX$166
$10.19$10.19
-6.28%
Cappuccino
$3.72MX$64.8
$3.94$3.94
-5.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.28
$2.73$2.73
-42.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MX$20.12
$1.49$1.49
-22.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.4
$4.03$4.03
-21.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63MX$80.6
$6.94$6.94
-33.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71MX$29.67
$0.96$0.96
78.13%
White Bread(500g)
$2.62MX$45.54
$2.70$2.70
-2.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MX$32.87
$5.37$5.37
-64.80%
Eggs
$2.60MX$45.17
$5.91$5.91
-56.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.91MX$172
$10.20$10.20
-2.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.22MX$143
$9.91$9.91
-17.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.78MX$205
$17.79$17.79
-33.78%
Apples(1kg)
$3.00MX$52.1
$4.25$4.25
-29.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80MX$31.32
$2.50$2.50
-28.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.07MX$36.08
$3.49$3.49
-40.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.23
$3.96$3.96
-50.25%
Potato(1kg)
$2.07MX$36.05
$5.01$5.01
-58.68%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.84
$2.56$2.56
-15.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.41
$3.08$3.08
-54.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MX$18.70
$4.92$4.92
-78.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12MX$71.7
$9.36$9.36
-55.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.42MX$303
$30.05$30.05
-42.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$29.16
$1.84$1.84
-8.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65MX$63.5
$3.33$3.33
9.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.62
$2.02$2.02
-81.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.71MX$326
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33MX$23.13
$3.54$3.54
-62.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.27
$1.63$1.63
-81.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.51MX$95.9
$29.48$29.48
-81.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.72
$0.77$0.77
70.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.2KMX$333.5K
$30.0K$30.0K
-36.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KMX$413.3K
$26.0K$26.0K
-8.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.14MX$716
$187$187
-77.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.74MX$483
$53.2$53.2
-47.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.13MX$524
$25.27$25.27
19.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.7MX$935
$42.96$42.96
25.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.98MX$452
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.49MX$113
$13.30$13.30
-51.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$437MX$7,598
$1,275$1,275
-65.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$182.0K
$23.3K$23.3K
-55.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,015
$44.13$44.13
32.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.86MX$798
$24.88$24.88
84.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101MX$1,765
$75.8$75.8
33.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107MX$1,854
$110$110
-3.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,005MX$17.5K
$1,578$1,578
-36.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$634MX$11.0K
$1,332$1,332
-52.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,148MX$37.4K
$2,605$2,605
-17.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,247MX$21.7K
$2,181$2,181
-42.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,859MX$67.2K
$1,371$1,371
181.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,085MX$36.3K
$1,365$1,365
52.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Aberdeen, SD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,072MX$18.7K
$5,175$5,175
-79.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
6.7
69.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 22, 2026
Last update for Aberdeen, SD: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,005 in Mexico City versus $1,578 in Aberdeen, SD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 383% higher in Aberdeen, SD, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City versus $65.0 in Aberdeen, SD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $291 vs $453 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Mexico City vs Aberdeen, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Aberdeen, SD?
Aberdeen, SD costs about 69% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mexico City and in Aberdeen, SD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,222 per month in Mexico City and $3,761 in Aberdeen, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Aberdeen, SD?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mexico City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Aberdeen, SD?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City and $65.0 in Aberdeen, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or in Aberdeen, SD?
Groceries cost about 56% more in Aberdeen, SD, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Mexico City or in Aberdeen, SD?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,481, than in Aberdeen, SD at $2,508. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aberdeen, SD it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Aberdeen, SD?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,481 versus $2,508 in Aberdeen, SD. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mexico City compared to Aberdeen, SD?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Mexico City or to Aberdeen, SD?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aberdeen, SD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared